Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto highlighted his administration's commitment to eradicating extreme poverty and reducing the poverty rate in its remaining four-year term.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, Prabowo noted that Indonesia's extreme poverty had fallen to its lowest level in history.
"I am determined in the next four years, we will eradicate extreme poverty, and we will bring down poverty as a whole. That is my mission in my life," he asserted while delivering his special address.
The president noted that bringing down poverty and ending hunger are the most honorable and satisfying tasks, highlighting that a leader must work hard to create hope for poor and vulnerable communities.
"If the poor, the weak can smile and can laugh, that means they have hope. That means they see a future. That means their livelihood is being improved. So that is my mission now, to make the poorest of Indonesians, the weakest of Indonesians smile," he remarked.
President Prabowo further said that part of the efforts to bring prosperity to the poor is eradicating corruption, manipulation, and malfeasance.
He cited survey results from Gallup and Harvard University, which found that Indonesians are among the happiest, most flourishing, and most optimistic people in the world.
While these results are heartening, he also expressed his sorrow that many Indonesians still lack decent housing.
"I know my people. Many of them live in sheds. Many of them do not have clean water. Many of them do not have bathrooms. Many of them eat rice with salt. And yet they smile. And yet they have hope," he said.
The WEF Annual Meeting 2026 (Davos 2026) is taking place from January 19 to 23 under the theme 'A Spirit of Dialogue.' The event brings together world leaders, economists, academics, experts, and practitioners to address global economic challenges.
